This Molasses Cake recipe comes from my great-grandma’s old cookbook called “Home Comfort Wood Stove Cook Book.” The company that made these stoves started making them before the Civil War ended.
Simple Molasses Cake Recipe
A molasses cake recipe is a simple and yummy dessert that’s loved by many. It’s a soft and tasty cake made with molasses, which gives it a sweet and rich flavor. You’ll also find cozy spices like ginger and cinnamon in there. This cake is often enjoyed around the holidays because it’s so comforting. Even if you’re not a pro baker, you can easily make it following the steps. Whether you eat it plain, with a bit of creamy frosting, or alongside a glass of milk, molasses cake is always a hit at any gathering.
This molasses cake recipe is a delicious treat from the 1940s, simple to make and full of classic flavor. Made with simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s a dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Few Ingredients Needed: You only need a handful of basic ingredients, making it simple to prepare.
- Easy to Make: This bundt cake recipe is super easy to follow, perfect for both experienced bakers and beginners.
- Rich Flavor: The homemade spice mix adds a depth of flavor that enhances every bite of the cake.
- Burst of Flavor: The combination of molasses and spices creates a burst of deliciousness with each mouthful.
- Perfect Finishing Touch: Adding a rum glaze takes this cake to a whole new level of yumminess. And if you’re still craving more, my chocolate rum cake is just as delightful.
Ingredients for Molasses Cake Recipe
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup hot water
- Optional: Whipped topping
Kitchen Tools
These basic kitchen tools will help you prepare and bake the molasses cake recipe with ease. Depending on your kitchen setup and preferences, you may also find additional tools helpful, such as an electric mixer for beating the egg or a silicone spatula for scraping the bowl.
Instructions for Molasses Cake Recipe
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
- In a small bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they become light and crumbly, which usually takes about 2 minutes.
- Add the room temperature eggs to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined.
- Pour in the molasses and continue to beat until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with hot water, and mix well after each addition until you get a smooth batter.
- Once the batter is smooth, pour it into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- After baking, take the cake out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool down completely.
- If desired, garnish the cooled cake with whipped topping before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy the delicious molasses cake with its rich flavor and moist texture.
“This molasses cake recipe is simple to follow and yields a moist and flavorful cake that everyone will love.”
Expert Tips
- Use light or dark molasses instead of blackstrap molasses for better flavor. Blackstrap molasses is not ideal for cakes due to its strong flavor.
- To ensure even distribution in the batter, mix molasses with warm water before adding it to other ingredients.
- Before mixing, bring all ingredients to room temperature. This helps in smoother blending and results in a more uniform batter.
- Avoid overmixing the batter as it can lead to a tough texture. Mix the ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender cake crumb.
Storage Tips
To keep your molasses cake fresh and delicious, follow these simple storage tips:
Regular Storage
- Store leftover gingerbread cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- If the cake has cream cheese frosting, refrigerate it for the entire 3 days.
Freezing Instructions
- Make sure the molasses cake has cooled down entirely to room temperature.
- Wrap each slice or the whole cake individually in plastic wrap.
- Place wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container and store for up to 3 months.
Thawing Guidelines
- Chill the frozen cake overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Bring thawed cake to room temperature before enjoying.
- For a quick thaw, microwave a cake slice for 30-40 seconds.
FAQ’s about Molasses Cake Recipe
What is the use of molasses in cake?
Molasses adds moisture, richness, and a distinct flavor to cakes. In a molasses cake recipe, it contributes to the texture, color, and taste, providing a deep, caramel-like sweetness. It also helps to keep the cake moist, resulting in a tender crumb.
What are the 3 types of molasses?
The three main types of molasses are:
- Light molasses: This type is lighter in color and flavor, with a mild sweetness. It’s often used in baking and cooking.
- Dark molasses: Dark molasses has a stronger flavor and darker color than light molasses. It’s commonly used in recipes that call for a more robust molasses flavor.
- Blackstrap molasses: This type is the darkest and thickest of the three, with a very intense flavor. It’s often used in recipes that require a bold molasses taste, such as gingerbread or molasses cookies.
What is a good substitute for molasses in a cake?
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can use dark corn syrup or maple syrup as a substitute in a molasses cake recipe. While these alternatives won’t provide the exact same flavor profile as molasses, they will still add sweetness and moisture to the cake.
Why is molasses so expensive?
Molasses production involves the extraction of sugar from sugar cane or sugar beets, followed by the boiling down of the remaining liquid to create molasses. The process is time-consuming and labor-intensive, which contributes to its cost. Additionally, factors such as crop yield, demand, and production costs can affect the price of molasses.
Does molasses expire?
Molasses lasts a long time and doesn’t usually go bad like other foods. But as time goes on, it might get darker and taste stronger. Keep it in a cool, dark spot and try to use it within a reasonable time. If you store it right, molasses can stay good forever and still be safe to eat.
Variations
- Experiment with Different Shapes: Try something different with the shape of your molasses cake. Just follow the molasses cake recipe instructions as they are. Instead of the usual shape, try baking your molasses cake in a Baking pan. It gives the cake an elegant look and adds a twist to the classic recipe.
- Decadent Cream Cheese Frosting: If you’re looking for something indulgent, consider topping your cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Its creamy texture and tangy flavor perfectly balance the richness of the molasses cake.
- Try Various Glazes: Change up the flavor profile by experimenting with different glazes. A tart Lemon Glaze or a rich Vanilla Glaze can bring out unique tastes that complement the sweetness of the cake.
- Lighter Whipped Toppings: For a lighter option, try a Whipped Topping like sweet Mascarpone Frosting. It adds a creamy finish without overwhelming the delicious flavors of the molasses cake recipe.
Some Other Easy Cake Recipes You Might Want To Give a Try
- Cheesecake Factory Carrot Cake Recipe
- Italian Hangover Cake Recipe
- Cookie Butter Cake Recipe
- Gluten Free King Cake Recipe
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Molasses Cake Recipe: Classic 1940's Charm
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Baking Pan
- Whisk or Wooden Spoon
- Sifter or Sieve
- Rubber Spatula
- Storage Container
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter softened
- ¼ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs at room temperature
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup hot water
- Optional: Whipped topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
- In a small bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until they become light and crumbly, which usually takes about 2 minutes.
- Add the room temperature eggs to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until well combined.
- Pour in the molasses and continue to beat until all the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir well to ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with hot water, and mix well after each addition until you get a smooth batter.
- Once the batter is smooth, pour it into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- After baking, take the cake out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool down completely.
- If desired, garnish the cooled cake with whipped topping before slicing and serving.
- Enjoy the delicious molasses cake with its rich flavor and moist texture.
